Jersey City NJ vs Washington DC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Jersey City
289,691
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jersey City
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
Washington
13.3%
White
Jersey City
28.7%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
Jersey City
21.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Jersey City
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,691 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 34.9 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 41.3% | 13.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 28.7% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 21.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 25.8% | 4.1% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 25.7% | 11.6% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Jersey City
$94,813
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Jersey City
$57,746
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jersey City
$77,416
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Jersey City
15.6%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Jersey City
53.1%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,813 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,746 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.8% | 6.5% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.6% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.1% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jersey City
$664,939
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Jersey City
28.8%
Washington
41.1%
Washington +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $664,939 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.8% | 41.1% | Washington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 398 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1999 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
26.2%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
9.6%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jersey City
14.9%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
12.0%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jersey City
10.3%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.2% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.9% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 24.0% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jersey City
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Jersey City +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Jersey City
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Jersey City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jersey City
40.3 min
Washington
32.8 min
Washington +
| Metric | Jersey City, NJ | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 40.3 min | 32.8 min | Washington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Washington. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Jersey City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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